Family comes first for politicians of Bihar

Assembly election in Bihar is just round the corner and one controversy after another seems to be getting embroiled in the state polls.

Over 40 political leaders of various political parties have succeeded in obtaining tickets for their relatives and hence it seems the only thing bigger than political parties in Bihar is the role that politicians’ families have begun to play in the polls.

Even though the politicians of the state have kept state development on top of their agenda, a peep behind the curtain gives a completely different picture. For majority of Bihar politicians, it’s not the state or the people, which matters, but their family members.

The ‘kin syndrome’ has gripped all political parties and leaders of all ranks. The one leading this tribe is LJP chief Ram Vilash Passwan.

His two brothers and two of his sons-in-law are in political arena this time on his own party ticket.

RJD MP Jagdanand Singh’s son is contesting on BJP ticket while senior RJD Leader Raghuwansh Prasad Singh’s brother is the Congress candidate from Mahnar and JDU MP Sushil Singh’s brother is a RJD candidate from Aurangabad.

Heavy weight JDU Leader Munna Shukla has succeeded in getting ticket for his wife while former MP Pappu Yadav’s wife Ranjita Ranjan is again in fray this time for assembly seats.

The list is quite long and acts as an eye-opener.

A closer look at the list shows how wives, brothers, sons and in-laws of senior politicians are making back door entry into politics

When it comes to empty talks, development, fighting corruption and welfare of Bihar top the agenda of Bihar’s politicians but when it comes to actual execution of policies, it’s the welfare of one’s own family, which figures above all this.

Large numbers of political leaders cutting across parties have succeeded in procuring tickets for their family members ignoring the legitimate claims of ground workers. This has created an army of disgruntled party workers who have finally turned rebels.

Contrary to the claims of service above self, these leaders are unable to see beyond their own family.